without it. But come on, I'll show you my sample battery."

"Here, take umbrellas!" Mrs. Baggert called after them as they
started toward the shop, for it was still raining.

"We don't mind getting wet," replied the young inventor. "It's
in the interests of science."

"Maybe it is. You don't mind a wetting, but I mind you coming
in and dripping water all over the carpets!" retorted the
housekeeper.

"Bless my overshoes, I'm afraid we have wet the carpets a
trifle now," admitted Mr. Damon ruefully, as he looked down at a
puddle, which had formed where he had been standing.

"That's the reason I want you to take umbrellas this trip,"
insisted Mrs. Baggert.

They complied, and were soon in the shop, where Tom explained
his battery. The small motor was still running and had, as the
lad had said, gone the equivalent of over two hundred miles.

"If a small battery does as well as that, what will a larger
one do?" asked Mr. Damon.

"Much better, I hope," replied the youth. "But Dad doesn't seem
to have much faith in them."

"Well," admitted Mr. Swift, "I must say I am skeptical. Still,